Postponing the July Olympics but Keeping the June Queer Festival? ...Concerns Over 'Social Distancing'

Photo by Asia Economy DB

[Asia Economy Reporter Shinwon Yoon] As the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) crisis prolongs, Seoul city’s approval of the Seoul Plaza Queer Culture Festival scheduled for June has sparked controversy.

Recently, the Seoul Open Plaza Citizens’ Committee approved the holding of the '21st Seoul Queer Culture Festival,' which will take place over two days from June 12 to 13. Given the outlook that the COVID-19 crisis may continue for a long time, and amid strong recommendations for 'social distancing' including bans on various festivals and gatherings, this decision has raised concerns among some.

On the 27th, a petition titled 'Request to revoke approval for the use of Seoul Plaza for the Seoul Queer Culture Festival to prevent the spread of the national crisis caused by COVID-19' was posted on the Blue House National Petition Board.

The petitioner stated, "Due to COVID-19, not only my family but many people are doing their best to follow the government's recommendation of 'social distancing,'" adding, "We are enduring and participating for the peace and happiness of the country, so it is hard to accept the fact that a festival held at Seoul Plaza during this time has been approved."

They further questioned, "The '2020 Tokyo Olympics,' scheduled a month after the Queer Festival on July 24, was postponed despite economic losses. Is it really necessary to hold this festival this year?"

Additionally, citing reasons such as ▲participants coming from all over the country to the Queer Festival ▲the 2-meter distancing not being maintained ▲requests for other group gatherings, the petitioner demanded the approval be revoked, saying, "Thinking about the situation if irreversible infections occur is dreadful and painful." As of 2 p.m. on the 30th, the petition has garnered over 45,000 signatures.

Seoul Plaza June Monthly Event Guide [Source - Seoul Plaza Website]

In response to the controversy, Seoul city announced that the event will be canceled if the COVID-19 situation continues. The city explained in a press release, "Use of Seoul Plaza is operated under a notification system according to the 'Ordinance on the Use and Management of Seoul Plaza, Seoul Special City.' To prevent the spread of COVID-19, applications for use of Seoul Plaza are not being accepted until the end of April, and for events scheduled after May 1, it is notified that approved events may be canceled depending on the COVID-19 spread situation."

However, some argue that approval should be revoked for the sake of 'fairness.'

Seong Jung-gi, a Seoul city council member (Gangnam 1, United Future Party), strongly requested Seoul city to cancel approval of the Queer Culture Festival, where many close-contact gatherings are expected, to protect the lives and safety of Seoul citizens from COVID-19. Allowing the Queer Culture Festival while prohibiting other gatherings raises issues of fairness and could undermine the public’s efforts for 'social distancing.'